The Russellville City Council started the new year Thursday night by voting to fund capital projects for 2006 totaling about $342,740.

Aldermen also approved a resolution to modify water usage terms between the city of Russellville and its water utility, City Corp., following up on previous discussion to not pay for water used by the city up to $16,000. The city would pay any amount per year after $16,000 of water was used.

"We own the company," Mayor Raye Turner said after Thursday night's meeting. "Our citizens pay taxes, and they should not have to be asked to pay double, when cities across the state do not pay for water services."

Turner gave aldermen copies of e-mails from representatives of Arkadelphia, Jonesboro, Siloam Springs, Conway, Rogers and Pottsville, all cities that own at least water utilities and get free water. Paragould receives water at a reduced rate.

The vote was 5-3, with Aldermen Ronnie Tripp, Cliff Kirchner and Rick Harrell voting against modifying the agreement. Robert Wiley, Phil Carruth, Faye Abernathy and Tyrone Williamson voted in favor.

Capital projects

Alderman and Finance Committee chairman Cliff Kirchner went through the wish list of capital expenditure requests compiled by Turner and department heads for 2006. They included:

Aldermen later decided to increase funding set aside for new fire trucks from $50,000 to $100,000, after Ronnie Tripp pointed out a new truck could cost anywhere from $350,000 to $560,000 in today's dollars.

Kirchner pointed out with $344,792 in carryover from the Capital Assets fund from 2005, the proposed 2006 projects could be funded. He said an additional $200,000 could be added to the fund this year to bring the Capital Assets account to $250,000, particularly with a General Fund balance currently around $1.4 million.

The motion to approve funding this year's capital expenditure requsts passed 7-1, with Alderman Phil Carruth casting the only vote against the measure.

"I was under the understanding that no public funds would be used to build it," Carruth said, referring to the skateboard park. "We have quite a long list of departmental needs that haven't been funded, particularly because we don't have the money to fund them. There's a number of items on here that appear to be vital to me."

"I am going to vote no on this, because of the skateboard park funding. I thought this was to be funded through donations, not public funds."

Other business

The council also Thursday night:

n Received a draft proposal of the city of Russellville's growth policy manual. This is a result of the previous Growth in the River Valley meetings attended by city and county leaders during the past year.

City planner Jim von Tungeln said as a result of those meetings, he believed city representatives and residents could coordinate better and form a commitment for the city's future.

n Approved a request to fill a vacancy in District Court office, as well as pay firefighters overtime who are needed to adequately man any of the city's fire stations in critical shortage personnel situations.

n Tripp thanked Audra Samuels, human resources director, and department heads and city officials who "probably had more meetings than ever before" to rework the city's personnel policy handbook, including seven or eight major changes. Crouch, meanwhile, thanked Samuels and those responsible for implementing the city's salary plan.

n Amended the zoning ordinance for signage in commercial zones to make it consistent in C-2 and C-4 (commercial) zones. During the discussion, Carruth mentioned portable signs should be put on next month's agenda, after Public Works Director Morgan Barrett mentioned portable sign regulations are under code enforcement.

"We went down this road last year, if I'm not mistaken," Alderman Robert Wiley said.

"But we can go down it again," the mayor responded, "if you want to lead the charge."

n Read for the second time an ordinance rezoning property from C-4 to C-2 at 1000, 1010 and 1020 N. Arkansas and 1005, 1009, 1015 and 1023 N. Boston.

n Tabled amending the city's zoning code to remove permitted use of car washes in C-4 zones, after a request from Crouch.

n Approved reorganization and liaison positions. Tripp was added to the Cemetery Committee, Wiley was taken off the 911 Emergency Communications committee, and Crouch was added to the Recycle Works committee.

n Approved a resolution for a special use permit for a billboard in a C-2 zone at 270 Lake Front Drive. The billboard would actually be closer to Interstate 40, the council was told.

n Will discuss further next month repealing Ordinance 1242 that called for independent candidates to file the day before preferential primary elections. Aldermen have two options to consider before their February meeting.

n Will bring back next month the city's lease with City Corp. Carruth suggested the terminology say "instead of revise, to negotiate."

n Reviewed this year's capital review plan with Barrett, who updated council members on ongoing and upcoming street projects.

n Amended the city's franchise agreement with CenturyTel. Carruth suggested the agreement needs at least a 10-year limit, although City Attorney Trey Smith pointed out state law says franchise agreements should have indefinite limits.

After a first vote tied 4-4, Wiley asked for a recall on the vote, which passed 7-1, with Carruth voting against.